September 20, 2010

Scary Cowboys stats

Remember those offseason goals? The Cowboys’ defense was tied
for 27th in the league last season in takeaways and that was supposed to get
better.

The offense ranked second in yards gained but 14th in points
per game. And that was supposed to get better.

Obviously only two games have been played and there is time
for improvement. But there is little doubt that those two trends have not been
reversed in the first two games.

Leaving the Monday night teams out of it, only three teams
have forced one turnover in the first two weeks -- Dallas, Houston and
Baltimore.

While it is true that the Ravens have an excellent defense,
they also have a track record. They ranked first in the AFC and fifth overall
last season with 32 takeaways. So there is reason to believe they can reverse
the trend. For the Cowboys, the trend continues.

And it’s not much better for Dallas on offense. Again, not counting the
Monday night teams, the Cowboys currently rank fourth in the league in yards
gained with 790. But they are 24th in total points with 27.

That stat becomes even worse when you consider that six of
those points came on a Dez Bryant punt return.

How about this? After two games, rookie fullback Chris
Gronkowski has as many offensive touchdowns at Miles Austin (one each) and more
than Jason Witten, Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Roy Williams or Bryant. To say
the offense is struggling is a massive understatement.